WIREDGOV

A plan to increase the number of people using Gaelic, focusing on early years, Gaelic-medium education and adult learning, has been published.

The document - Ginealach Ùr na Gàidhlig - a plan to create a new generation of Gaelic speakers - has been published by Bòrd na Gàidhlig, the principal public body promoting and developing Gaelic.

The plan contains proposals for effective use of existing resources and structures to increase the number of people speaking and using the language in everyday life.

Despite progress in securing official recognition and putting structures in place over recent years, there has not been a corresponding increase in the number of Gaelic speakers.

Ministers asked Bòrd na Gàidhlig to prepare an action plan to make Gaelic more accessible to adults and children wishing to learn the language and use it in everyday life.

Minister for Gaelic Fiona Hyslop said:

"Gaelic is so much more than a language - it is a rich and vital element of Scottish culture, both past and present. Our aim is straightforward - we want a sustainable future for the language and to ensure its survival.

"I have asked Arthur Cormack and his team to focus on three priority areas set out in the plan. We consider that early years, adult learning and Gaelic medium education have the greatest potential to increase the number of Gaelic speakers.

"To create a new generation of speakers requires a clear focus on opportunities for young children and their parents to acquire the language, including availability of Gaelic medium education to meet the increasing demand we are seeing."

Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning Michael Russell said:

"Education is the key to ensuring there are accessible opportunities to learn Gaelic and ensure the language's survival. That is why Fiona Hyslop and I announced this initiative jointly and why we will continue to work together on this issue.

"Gaelic can survive and will survive if everyone involved works toward the same goal of increasing the number of people using the language in everyday situations."

Bòrd na Gàidhlig is the principal public body responsible for promoting and developing Gaelic.

The Minister for Gaelic and Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning announced the intention to prepare an action plan to create a new generation of Gaelic speakers in August 2009.

Related Information

___________________________________________________________

Plana Gnìomh Gàidhlig

A' cruthachadh ginealach ùr de luchd-labhairt Gàidhlig

Chuir Ministearan an Riaghaltais fàilte air plana airson meudachadh air an àireamh de dhaoine a tha a' cleachdadh na Gàidhlig, le cudrom air na bliadhnachan tràtha, foghlam tron Ghàidhlig agus foghlam inbheach.

An-diugh dh'fhoillsich Bòrd na Gàidhlig, am prìomh bhuidheann a tha ag adhartachadh agus a' leasachadh na Gàidhlig, Ginealach Ùr na Gàidhlig -plana airson ginealach ùr de luchd-labhairt Gàidhlig a chruthachadh.

Tha molaidhean sa phlana airson feum èifeachdach a dhèanamh de na stòrasan agus structairean a tha ann mar-thà gus an àireamh de dhaoine a tha a' bruidhinn agus a' cleachdadh a' chànain sa bheatha làitheil a mheudachadh.

Ged a rinneadh adhartas a thaobh inbhe oifigeil fhaighinn agus structairean a chur an sàs thar beagan bhliadhnachan, chan eil an aon mheudachadh san àireamh de luchd-labhairt Gàidhlig.

Dh'iarr Ministearan air Bòrd na Gàidhlig plana gnìomh a dheasachadh a nì Gàidhlig nas ro-ruigsinn do dh'inbhich agus clann a tha airson a' chànan ionnsachadh agus a chleachdadh sa bheatha làitheil.

Thuirt Fiona Hyslop, Ministear na Gàidhlig:

"Chan e dìreach cànan a tha sa Ghàidhlig - tha e, mar a bha e a-riamh, na phàirt mòr agus cudromach de chultar na h-Alba. Tha amas shìmplidh againn - dèanamh cinnteach gum bi an cànan air a chumail beò san àm ri teachd.

"Dh'iarr mi air Art MacCarmaig agus an sgioba aige coimhead ri trì de na raointean le prìomhachas sa phlana. Tha sinn den bheachd gur ann aig na bliadhnachan tràtha, foghlam inbheach agus foghlam tron Ghàidhlig a tha an comas as motha air an àireamh de luchd-labhairt Gàidhlig a mheudachadh.

"Gus ginealach ùr de luchd-labhairt a chruthachadh feumar amas soilleir air cothroman do chloinn òga agus am pàrantan air a' chànan ionnsachadh, a' gabhail a-steach cothrom air foghlam tron Ghàidhlig gus coinneachadh ris an iarrtas nas motha a tha sinn a' faicinn."

Thuirt Mìcheal Ruiseil, Rùnaire a' Chaibineit airson Foghlaim agus Ionnsachadh Fad-beatha:

"'S ann tro fhoghlam a nithear cinnteach gum bi cothroman rim faotainn air Gàidhlig ionnsachadh agus gun cumar an cànan beò. 'S e sin is coireach gun do dh'fhoillsich mi fhìn agus Fiona Hyslop an iomairt seo còmhla agus gum bi sinn ag obair còmhla air a' chùis seo.

"Gheibhear air a' Ghàidhlig a chumail beò ma dh'obraicheas a h-uile duine a dh'ionnsaigh an aon amais a bhith a' cur ris an àireamh de dhaoine a tha a' cleachdadh a' chànain ann an suidheachaidhean làitheil."

'S e Bòrd na Gàidhlig am prìomh bhuidheann poblach le uallach airson adhartachadh agus leasachadh na Gàidhlig.

Dh'fhoillsich Ministear na Gàidhlig agus Rùnaire a' Chaibineit airson Foghlaim agus Ionnsachadh Fad-beatha san Lùnastal a chaidh gu robh iad an dùil plana gnìomh a dheasachadh airson ginealach ùr de luchd-labhairt Gàidhlig a chruthachadh aig.